Poison: From Steeltown to the Punjab, The True Story of a Serial Killer

by Jon Wells

Canada's award-winning crime writer takes on a transatlantic serial killerOne of six book-length stories published in the Hamilton Spectator, Poison is a riveting piece of crime reporting that won a National Newspaper Award in 2004. Chronicling the life and crimes of serial murderer Sukhwinder Dhillon, who coolly dispatched two wives, two twin infants, and a friend just for insurance money, Poison details the trail that stretched from Canada to India, the work of the insurance claims investigator and the detectives who suspected wrong-doing, the forensics that sealed Dhillon's fate, and the legal twists and turns of the double murder trial that followed.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2008

Reviews

[Sandra Laymon]

Excellent!

I must admit that at the beginning of "Poison" I was not so sure that I was going to enjoy this book. The setting was both Canada AND India and many of the people had names with very strange spellings that all seemed very similar. For me, I was a little confused and found it hard to follow. However, the more I read, the easier it became to identify who was who. Then the story became very interesting indeed!!

The investigators were outstanding and the prosecutors some of the best I've ever read about. These men were not in this for themselves but to bring justice to a very mean, horrific, evil man. They all worked so hard and ran into one obstacle after another as they tried a case involving two countries on two separate continents.

This is an absolute must read! Many times I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. This was one book I hated to see end because it was such a great read. Buy it! You won't be disappointed!

[Colleen]

I'm giving the book 4 stars for the story more than the writing style (which shows it's newspaper origins). This is a grim story of a serial killer who was able to quite easily poison 5, possibly 6 people, and, if not for an alert insurance investigator, undoubtedly would have gone on to kill many more. It does an excellent job of showing the extensive teamwork necessary to bring down one, not even particularly bright, sociopath. I felt great sadness for Sukhwinder Singh Dhillon's victims and their families, particularly his second wife Sarabjit, whose fate in the last chapter was truly upsetting. This was a big case in Canada, but, I had never heard of it living here in the U.S. despite being a true crime aficionado. I recommend for readers of true crime stories.

[Harvey Smith]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a grisly serial killer genre, but it’s written from a Canadian point of view. That, along with the killer and his victims were all from India. You gain an understanding of life in India and Canada.

Apparently Indian’s think immigrating to Canada and obtaining citizenship is desirable. So, this book follows in a newspaper reporting style telling about an uneducated, sociopathic man comes to Canada with a wife, and she is poisoned with strychnine that he obtained in in India. More wives and children in India show up dead.

Canadian detectives go all out to find out the truth.

[Ashlyn]

Really enjoyed the way Wells writes from the third person! I think the best parts of this book for me were the setting (I’m a Hamilton native, born and bred) and actually remember this case being published in the Spec. The other thing I enjoyed was reading about the lawyers involved. The lead crown, Brent Bentham? He was my criminal and summary conviction professor! So... spoiler alert I guess? Overall really great telling from beginning to end of the investigation and the trial. Not bland like some I’ve read. I couldn’t be bothered to put it down!

[ChronicallyReading]

Very well written, I learned a lot about Indian culture and religion (mainly Sikhism)
If you're interested in serial killers. I recommend this.
The deaths were gruesome in their own way but not in a gore sort of way.

[Jane Thompson]

True Criime

This is undoubtedly one of the !most complicated. crime and trial stories I have ever read. The author does a good job oof keeping the actors straight and telling the story of the prosecution. Read this only of you are a true crime fan.

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[Lureta Whitewing-Porter]

The Trail of Murder, India to Canada

This was a very thoroughly researched book . A few instances the transitions between subjects were a bit confusing hence only 4 stars. Otherwise, a very riveting and sad story , evil, personified in a man who is a psychopath .

[Kristen Green]

This book brought me back and brought back the bad feelings! As someone who was in the house in Hamilton when this was happening gave me chills. Brought me back and had me rethink everything I knew about this family

[carol deminie]

Just ok

This was an interesting story but the book meanders a bit. In some parts it really wandered around the subjects so some of it I had to skip

[Brenda]

Excellent true crime.

[Tamara]

3.5

The writing was a tad dry but the story was very intriguing.

[Katherine]

3.5

[Snehil]

A well written book. Couldn't put the book down in spite of the fact that I am in the process of moving.
The book is a true story of a serial killer who lived in Hamilton Ontario and immigrated from Punjab, India. Jon Wells has told the story well. I loved his story telling, quite unique and gripping.
I may be biased, but I think Wells has tried to stereotype Punjabis through this book. There is truth in his opinion about many Punjabi people discussed in the book, but there are also assumptions that led to generalizations. Other than that, a good book.

[Nancy]

This book is set in my city... the man who committed the crimes lived here in Hamilton. He killed 5 people (possibly 6) in India & Hamilton. Very crafty and manipulative man. I enjoyed the end when he was convicted. The search for evidence throughout was very interesting to read.

[Erika Nerdypants]

Excellent and in-depth account of the Suckwhinder Dhillon poisoning case that occurred in the 90s in my hometown Hamilton. Although I lived in the city at the time, I don't recall hearing anything about this case.

[Vickie Witherspoon]

Jon Wells is an excellent Canadian writer. Read all of his books!

[Krys]

Not the best book by him